2016 Mar 18-20 - Steve & Paulla, Mall during the storm, Selby Botanical Gardens

Friday evening, we went to Kris & Larry's friends' house. Steve, Paula and the four of us went to the Thai Bistro in Venice for dinner. It was delicious! Steve and Paula had to go home, but Kris, Larry and we went to Ciao Gelato for desert. It was also delicious! We walked around and checked out a few shops before heading back to the campground.

Saturday, the forecast was for heavy rain storms. We went to Eggstraordinairy for brunch. While we were there, it started storming pretty hard, so we headed down the road to a VERY large mall that included a Costco store. We shopped at Costco and walked around the mall while the storm was raging.

When we go back to the park, we learned that the electricity was out. It was out for a total of about six hours, but only about two hours after we got back. The WiFi service was also knocked out and will probably not be fixed until Monday. One of the rangers who lives in the park and had been in the area for fifty years told be that it was the worst lightning storm he has ever seen. Four utility polls in the park were hit along with one on the highway near the park entrance.

About 4:45, I but a pork tenderloin on the grill for dinner. The four of us ate very well. It was really good!

Sunday morning at 9:10, Larry and Kris headed for home. Marsha and I decided to go to the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota. On the way, we stopped at McDonald's for lunch and to use the WiFi. Then, we saw a Trader Joe's store, so we just had to stop in and buy some wine and other goodies. We finally made it to the botanical gardens at about 2:00. It was beautiful. Enjoy the pictures!

2016 Mar 16-17 - Oscar Sherer with Larry & Kris

Larry & Kris arrived just after noon on Wednesday. She had prepared a meat loaf, so after visiting for most of the afternoon, we enjoyed a meatloaf dinner.

Thursday, we got the bikes out and rode about 7 miles south on the Legacy to Venice where we stopped at a Dunkin' Donuts for refreshment before starting the return trip. There was a bike shop there, so I picked up some batteries to replace the dead ones in our bike speedometers.

I got quite a few compliments on my St. Paddy's Day shirt while on the bike trail. Again, Kris prepared the meal, corned beef & cabbage.

Sorry I have been a bit lax in my picture taking. I'll try to do better.

2016 May 14-15 - Oscar Scherer SP and Nokimis Beach

We arrived on Monday at about 12:30. The 25 mile drive got us to Oscar Scherer State Park before checkout time, let along check-in time so we went to the Nature Center parking lot and had a picnic lunch while we waited. The office called us about 1:30 to tell us that our site was ready.

We walked around and reacquainted ourselves with the camping and Nature Center areas before cooking hot dogs over a wood fire. It was a beautiful night to just sit outside and relax.

Tuesday, we took a drive to Nokomis Beach and stopped at a Tiki Bar on the way back for refreshments. Our friends, Larry & Kris, from near St. Augustine should be here tomorrow afternoon. We're looking forward to camping with them for four days.

2016 Mar 13 - Myakka River State Park #3

We hung around the park today. Most of the pictures below were taken from the observation deck near the weir at the south end of Myakka Lake. The first one was taken in the picnic grounds near the cafe.

Tomorrow, we head for Oscar Scherer State Park. See you there!

2016 Mar 12 - St. Paddy's Party at Art's Boat Club

We went over to Art & Jo's house around noon so Marsha could do laundry before we left for the St. Paddy's Day party at the boat club. While Marsha was doing laundry and chatting with Jo, I helped Art put his "Camper For Sale" ad on rvtrader.com.

Aunt Sheila came over and we all left for the party at about 4:00. It was a nice evening with nice people and good food. We left about 9:00.

2016 Mar 11 - Myakka River State Park #2

We didn't do much on Thursday, the 10th, or on Friday, the 11th, for that matter. We went into Sarasota and got groceries, gas, and a car wash. While we were still in the park, we walked out on the "Birdwalk" and took a few pics. When we got back to camp and Marsha got the groceries put away, we went for a walk along the river before the ice cream social started at 6:00. I took some pictures as we walked along the river, but forgot to take pictures at the ice cream social.

Oh, well! Tomorrow, we are going to a St. Patrick's Day party with Jo and Art at their boat club. I'll try to remember to take pictures there.